| Hildale Mayor: 'I don't know where the budget can be a concern' | |
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BY TIFFANY DeMASTERS tdemasters@thespectrum.com The Spectrum | |
ST. GEORGE – Investigators from two states are searching computers and files in a polygamous community located on the Utah-Arizona border, alleging misuse of public funds as well as participating in fraudulent schemes with the city government and fire departments. Sheriff’s deputies from Washington County, Utah and Mohave County, Ariz., descended on the cities of Hildale and Colorado City at 6:30 a.m. today to execute six search warrants – five in Colorado City, one in Hildale. Four were executed at fire stations in the twin communities, once known as the Short Creek area. The others were executed at the homes of Colorado City Fire Chief Jake Barlow and the city manager, David Darger. Details of the warrants have not been revealed. Washington County Attorney Brock Belnap said the Utah warrant was sealed under the order of 5th District Judge James Shumate at the request of Arizona investigators. "We don’t know the reasoning behind it," said Hildale Mayor David Zitting. "Yes, there’s been search warrants for fire stations in both communities. It’s centered on the fire department, coming from Arizona. The Washington County (Utah) Sheriff’s department is assisting, but it’s an Arizona action." Zitting said the two communities signed an interlocal agreement, combining funds from the Hildale city budget and Colorado City Fire Special Service District to provide protection for the region. He said he’s unsure how much is in the Colorado City budget, but estimates the Hildale Fire Department budget at about $200,000. "It’s passed every year, audited by independent auditors, so I don’t know where the budget can be a concern," Zitting said. Zitting had nothing but praise for the joint fire department. "From all the fire departments I’ve seen, I haven’t seen a better-operated fire department that does more for the community," he said. "They’re just top of the line. They’ve got just a handful of staff that are full-time on the combined fire department and about 100 volunteers that are very well qualified. The paramedics and EMTs are highly qualified and do a superb job." The community became the focus of international attention when polygamist leader Warren Jeffs, leader of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, which embraces the practice of multiple marriages, was on the run after being charged with rape as an accomplice for his role in the marriage of a 14-year-old girl and her 19-year-old cousin. Jeffs has since been convicted of the charges in Utah and still faces similar charges in Arizona. As media from across the globe scrambled to cover the Jeffs trial and the FLDS community, residents became even more withdrawn, some fleeing to a new center in Eldorado, Texas where it encountered further investigations and charges of underage marriages. There has also been impetus from the attorneys general of Utah and Arizona to have the two cities disincorporated. "It has a tremendous impact," Zitting said of the presence of approximately 50 law enforcement officers in the twin cities. "What can you do but try to carry on? Of course, it has impact on the public perspective for one thing and there seems to be no end to them (law enforcement) trying to find another way to come after the cities. "It began with people who lived in the cities and became disenchanted. It escalated after that. We just try to carry on from day to day. We don’t know what’s coming from one day to the next, but it’s not something I fret over or that we make a big issue in our mind." Zitting is still incredulous about the attempt to disincorporate the twin cities. "It’s just one issue after another," he said. "The thing that really amazes me is if they can invent a way to force disincorporation of a public entity in America, something’s wrong with that." | |
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TheSpectrum.com Originally published April 6, 2010 | |
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